On board MS EUROPA from Hamburg to Kiel

A calm sea with great treasures

The Baltic Sea coastlines reveal some wonderful views, which have been captivating people for centuries. The riches left behind by the bishops, kings and tsars are equally impressive. The white church towering nobly over Helsinki, for example, and the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, which is still home to the Royal family today. The Tsar's palaces in St. Petersburg have ample treasures for you to admire. Some truly unforgettable insights await on this cruise.

Itinerary

HamburgArrive a little earlier in the Hanseatic city and discover Hamburg on your own*.

Passage through the Kiel CanalThe daytime transit through the Kiel Canal links the North Sea with the Baltic and runs for 100km right through the green countryside of Schleswig-Holstein. It is one of the busiest artificial waterways in the world.

Thu, 26.06.2014

Copenhagen, 8.00 hrs – 18.00 hrs

Copenhagen/DenmarkThe statue of the Little Mermaid stands at only 1.25m high and is a landmark of this charming city. It is one of the destinations on your city walking tour* to Amalienborg Palace and through the Nyhavn district. A tour will take you to visit the futuristic Royal Opera House and you will discover the picturesque canals of Christianshavn by boat. The royal city is also fascinating from a bird's eye perspective - the view from the helicopter* extends right out as far as the Öresund Bridge.

Fri, 27.06.2014

Visby, 13.00 hrs – 19.00 hrs

Visby/Gotland/SwedenVisby* flourished under the Hanseatic League, becoming an important trading centre. Reminders of its heyday include the well-preserved city walls, as well as half-timbered houses, the domed church and the "Galgbacken". Together they form an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site. You can see the delightful natural landscape of Gotland on a bicycle tour to the steep Högklint cliffs*.

Sat, 28.06.2014

Stockholm, 8.00 hrs arrival

Stockholm/SwedenThe "floating city" was built on 14 islands -making it perfect for visiting the royal sites by boat*. A city tour will take you to the Vasa Museum*. You can admire the works of sculptor Carl Milles in the sculpture garden* and visit his former home. Those of you who are looking for adventure can go on a fast-paced RIB tour* through the skerries - these agile dinghies can reach speeds of up to 40 knots.

Sun, 29.06.2014

Stockholm, 14.00 hrs departure Passage through the skerries

Mon, 30.06.2014

Tallinn, 8.00 hrs arrival

Tallinn/EstoniaWith their guild houses and medieval churches, the narrow streets in Tallinn's historic centre* are like something out of a different era. The highlights of your walking tour* include the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and St. Nicholas' Church. A jeep tour will take you to see a spectacle of nature - the views over the coastline from the cliffs of the Pakri Peninsula*.

Tue, 01.07.2014

Tallinn, 2.00 hrs departureHelsinki, 7.00 hrs – 17.00 hrs

Helsinki/Finland The white cathedral dominates the city centre and is the focal point of the neoclassical Senate Square. The prominent Finlandia Hall and the Church of the Rock are other highlights of a visit to charming Helsinki*. Alvar Aalto* also had a great influence on the city's architecture and you can follow a city tour dedicated to his legacy.

Wed, 02.07.2014

St. Petersburg, 7.00 hrs arrival

St. Petersburg/RussiaYou have two days to discover the countless artworks and cultural treasures of this Russian city, such as on a city tour* including a visit to the Peter and Paul Cathedral. In nearby Pushkin, the Catharine Palace* is enchanting with its reconstruction of the legendary amber room. Catherine II acquired the first paintings for the collection at the State Hermitage Museum* – today one of the largest museums in the world. You can see the Winter Palace from the water on a canal trip*. The magnificence of Saint Isaac's Cathedral, featuring one of the largest copper domes in the world, is also impressive. On the Gulf of Finland lies the summer residence of the Tsars - the Peterhof Palace* with its lavishly decorated rooms and splendid grounds. Even the Metro* is a work of art - the stations are each decorated with magnificent columns and feudal chandeliers.

Thu, 03.07.2014

St. Petersburg, 19.00 hrs departure

Fri, 04.07.2014

Relaxation at sea

Sat, 05.07.2014

Riga, 8.00 hrs – 18.00 hrs

Riga/LatviaThere are many reminders in the city's delightful historic centre* of the days when Riga was part of the mighty Hanseatic League - such as the "Three Brothers" tradesmen's houses and the tower of St Peter's Church. The "Pearl of the Baltic" is also adorned by a great many buildings from the Belle Epoque*.

Sun, 06.07.2014

Klaipeda, 10.30 hrs – 19.00 hrs

Klaipeda/LithuaniaVenture out from the pretty historic city to the Curonian Spit*. The unspoiled natural beauty of the peninsula with its huge dunes inspired Thomas Mann and the idyllic landscape is perfect for exploring by bicycle*.

Mon, 07.07.2014

Danzig (Gdansk), 7.00 hrs – 19.00 hrs

Danzig (Gdansk)/PolandFrom the High Gate of the former defensive fortifications to the Green Gate in the Renaissance style - admire the pretty Hanseatic city on the ancient Royal Route*. The largest fortress in Europe was the home of the Teutonic Knights. It took around 100 years to build the brick walls of Malbork Castle*, which was impregnable.